DC Guards Deploy To Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

WASHINGTON (WUSA) --Members of the 372nd Military Police Battalion were honored today as they prepare to leave their loved ones and head to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

About 60 men and women will deploy there and Staff Sergeant Michael Bellamy is ready to answer that call saying he'll do "whatever my job calls me to do."

But for him, doing that means leaving behind his kids which is hard, this will be his third deployment. The first two times he went to Iraq and a war zone .

This time, it's a little different heading to the detention center in Cuba. The work they do there, providing intelligence and logistical support, will aid Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

It's a bit of a relief to his family including his mother who will be taking care of the kids. She'll also be reassuring her grandkids and making sure they connect with dad on Skype for the 10 months he is deployed.

For Sgt. Dawn Austin-Douglas, this will be here second deployment to Cuba.

"I am going to miss my family, but I have a job to do," she said.

She has three kids, including a two year old and five year old, the oldest is 14 and remembers the first time her mom left.

This time the understanding that comes with age will help her deal with her mom's deployment.

"She has to do it and I respect that," she said.

The soldiers trained for more than a year for their mission. They'll head to Texas for more training before actually leaving for Cuba.